They are definitely spreading out from the city. I've seen them here in Essex recently (though annoyingly not been able to photograph one here yet). You might expect a species that can cover 150 miles in a day might have got rather further. I don't think latitude per se would be the reason that they aren't seen in Kettering. There are sizeable populations in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle and there have been multiple sightings in Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and even Glasgow. That they are more likely to be seen in cities could be due to a number of reasons. It may be that they are separate populations from different escapes or releases of caged birds. It could be that highly populated areas are a little warmer, that there are easier supplies of food on bird feeders or maybe just that there's more sightings of a similar number of birds because there are more people about to see them. Finally, it's not just an individual species' ability to cope minor temperature changes, it's the ability of anything that is their prey food - it's all interconnected. That said, I'm not sure that Parakeets are particularly fussy eaters, so unlike something like the Netted Carpet Moth, it'd probably survive in a whole range of places.
Thanks for that. I wasn't aware of the clusters in other big cities, the biggest town near me being Northampton but I've yet to see one there either. Interesting. I did once see some playing pitch and putt in Sidcup, well the Parakeet's weren't playing obviously 😉
They are definitely spreading out from the city. I've seen them here in Essex recently (though annoyingly not been able to photograph one here yet). You might expect a species that can cover 150 miles in a day might have got rather further. I don't think latitude per se would be the reason that they aren't seen in Kettering. There are sizeable populations in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle and there have been multiple sightings in Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and even Glasgow. That they are more likely to be seen in cities could be due to a number of reasons. It may be that they are separate populations from different escapes or releases of caged birds. It could be that highly populated areas are a little warmer, that there are easier supplies of food on bird feeders or maybe just that there's more sightings of a similar number of birds because there are more people about to see them. Finally, it's not just an individual species' ability to cope minor temperature changes, it's the ability of anything that is their prey food - it's all interconnected. That said, I'm not sure that Parakeets are particularly fussy eaters, so unlike something like the Netted Carpet Moth, it'd probably survive in a whole range of places.
Thanks for that. I wasn't aware of the clusters in other big cities, the biggest town near me being Northampton but I've yet to see one there either. Interesting. I did once see some playing pitch and putt in Sidcup, well the Parakeet's weren't playing obviously 😉
Don't have Ringed Necked Parakeet's in Kettering. Don't know why. It's not that cold. Native to Sidcup aren't they?
Plenty in the Orpington area. They fly over my house every day.
I don't get why they haven't populated areas other than the South East. I used to live in Orpington, well more than half a lifetime ago (30+years) Never had them then! I can only believe they're either lazy or it's the climate that's stopped them spreading north, but I can't believe they'd be that sensitive to minor temperature differences.
There was a large colony roosting in the Lombardy poplar trees along the banks of the River Ravensbourne in Beckenham Place Park .This was in the early 60’s, I assume that colony are still there? Also from the early 70’s, a large colony (once again roosting in Lombardy poplar trees) in Hither Green Cemetery along side Verdant Lane. One again I don’t know if they are still there? They are certainly attracted to roosting in Lombardy poplar trees.
Fishing masterclass from a Little Egret. It hardly ever missed its target. I think the fish is probably a perch, but I doubt you can tell from this picture.
I'm enjoying the Merlin Bird ID app at the moment. You leave it running in the background or by a window or whatever, it records and tells you what's in the area singing. This is the best 7 minute haul I've had at home in Greenhithe so far.
Merlin is a game changer. I thoroughly recommend it.
Have you used it before? I should have posted it a few weeks ago. Did so today as I jogged along Gravesend-Higham marshes and kept stopping to figure out what birds I could hear.
Tonight I wondered what the ruckus was outside and we had 3 or 4 jays
Merlin is a game changer. I thoroughly recommend it.
Have you used it before? I should have posted it a few weeks ago. Did so today as I jogged along Gravesend-Higham marshes and kept stopping to figure out what birds I could hear.
Tonight I wondered what the ruckus was outside and we had 3 or 4 jays
It’s very good but does occasionally throw out odd suggestions so just beware of that. Usually very reliable though
Merlin is a game changer. I thoroughly recommend it.
Have you used it before? I should have posted it a few weeks ago. Did so today as I jogged along Gravesend-Higham marshes and kept stopping to figure out what birds I could hear.
Tonight I wondered what the ruckus was outside and we had 3 or 4 jays
It’s very good but does occasionally throw out odd suggestions so just beware of that. Usually very reliable though
It keeps telling me there's a Golden Oriole in the vicinity. I was so excited the first couple of times (was in the same place) - soon learned to control myself.
This bird looks like a cross between Great Tit (there is a hint of colour), long tailed tit and possibly sparrow. It doesn’t really look like anything. It almost has the shape of a tiny starling. Here’s a few not very good photos. Any ideas?
This bird looks like a cross between Great Tit (there is a hint of colour), long tailed tit and possibly sparrow. It doesn’t really look like anything. It almost has the shape of a tiny starling. Here’s a few not very good photos. Any ideas?
10/10 for creativity on the hanging basket squirrel guard But the pestilent grey bastards around our way would use that happily to raid the feeders hanging upside down to plunder the goodies We had to shift our bird feeder at least 10 feet from any fence or overhanging trees or the diseased immigrants would be leaping in from all angles The plastic bowl shaped thing halfway up the pole is perfect for stopping them climbing up from ground level
Unfortunately I didn't get a photo, but we saw a White-tailed Eagle when we were on holiday on the Isle of Wight recently. It was wonderful to see such a magnificent bird.
The Mirror today reported that a pair of blue winged teal have been spotted at Tophill Low nature reserve, East Yorkshire, over the last year. They are native to North America and extremely rare here.
Not going to post a picture as it's pretty graphic but there's a Eurasian Sparrowhawk currently picking apart a pigeon on my driveway, amazed it's doing so in such an urban environment
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The stripy Palace wankers
I've very little by way of gear, and absolutely no idea. We saw Puffins too and all sorts of other sea birds.
Bearded Reedlings. A pair seen at the same time.
Also from the early 70’s, a large colony (once again roosting in Lombardy poplar trees) in Hither Green Cemetery along side Verdant Lane. One again I don’t know if they are still there?
They are certainly attracted to roosting in Lombardy poplar trees.
Fishing masterclass from a Little Egret. It hardly ever missed its target. I think the fish is probably a perch, but I doubt you can tell from this picture.
Tonight I wondered what the ruckus was outside and we had 3 or 4 jays
It doesn’t really look like anything.
It almost has the shape of a tiny starling.
Here’s a few not very good photos.
Any ideas?
On a serious note, as a starter for 10, I’d say a juvenile great tit.
But it has a narrow face, a long tail and very little colour.
Thanks.
But the pestilent grey bastards around our way would use that happily to raid the feeders hanging upside down to plunder the goodies
We had to shift our bird feeder at least 10 feet from any fence or overhanging trees or the diseased immigrants would be leaping in from all angles
The plastic bowl shaped thing halfway up the pole is perfect for stopping them climbing up from ground level
Pallas' Leaf Warbler. I didn't know whether to photograph it or chuck a brick at it. 😉
Seriously though, this beautiful little bird is a resident of Asia and is well out of its natural range in Essex so it was an honour to see it.
No idea what it is but it kept dropping/diving at what looks like the dried area.